Posted!

Join the Conversation

Ducks hold off Stars again to claim Game 2

AP
1:59 a.m. EDT April 19, 2014

Anaheim Ducks right wing Corey Perry (10) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Dallas Stars during the second period in game two of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center.(Photo: Kelvin Kuo, USA TODAY Sports)

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Ryan Getzlaf wore the strain all over his exhausted face. In the past 51 hours or so, he had taken a slap shot to the jaw, attended the birth of his third child and propelled the Anaheim Ducks to two gritty playoff victories.

Getzlaf figures he has all summer to rest. He's too busy polishing his reputation as a dominant scorer and an equally formidable leader in another narrow win over the Dallas Stars.

Getzlaf had a goal and an assist while wearing a facemask over his injured jaw, Corey Perry scored his first playoff goal in three years, and the Ducks beat Dallas 3-2 Friday night to take a 2-0 lead in their first-round series.

"It's been absolutely incredible couple of days," Getzlaf said. "They were a little hectic, but these are the things you want to do in life. At least tonight I didn't get hit in the face."

Rookie Frederik Andersen made 34 saves in his second postseason start, and Andrew Cogliano scored a short-handed goal in the third period before the Ducks survived Dallas' late flurry to move halfway to their first series victory since 2009.

Game 3 is Monday in Dallas.

Anaheim has won just one postseason round since its only Stanley Cup title in 2007, back when Getzlaf and Perry were supporting players. The Ducks are their team now, and the dynamic duo led Anaheim to another victory despite committing a couple of late penalties.

"Every once in a while, you need your best players to step it up when the rest of the guys lose their composure," Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau said. "Getzy, with what happened to him in the last three days, to come in and get two points and a plus-3 rating, is a sure reason why he (should be) hopefully nominated for the MVP."

Getzlaf was clobbered by Tyler Seguin's shot in the final minute of Game 1, leaving him with alarming bruises and a ragged cut. His wife then gave birth to a daughter named Willa early Friday morning before sending him home to rest for Game 2.

None of it could stop Anaheim's captain from getting back in the lineup with a clear facemask around his jaw and mouth in a prudent concession by a player who doesn't like even wearing a visor. After a raucous pregame ovation from an Orange County crowd that recognized his toughness, Getzlaf then scored a first-period goal and set up Cogliano's electric short-handed goal.

"He's an unbelievable player, and he's a great captain," Cogliano said. "He's pretty easy to follow."

Kari Lehtonen stopped 16 shots, while Alex Chiasson and Ryan Garbutt scored for the wild-card Stars, who took two one-goal losses to open their first playoff series since 2008. Dallas coach Lindy Ruff realizes his team's playoff inexperience must go away quickly to get back into the series.

"We handed them their opportunities and their goals," Ruff said. "We skated well. The effort was great, but we made a couple of mistakes that cost us."

Half of Dallas' skaters made playoff debuts in the series opener, but the Stars came out for Game 2 with more confidence and poise from the opening faceoff. Chiasson put Dallas ahead early on a power play, one-timing a pass from captain Jamie Benn for his first career playoff goal.

Getzlaf evened it by himself, taking the puck away from Erik Cole and beating Lehtonen high for his second goal of the series.

"What a great play by him, stealing the puck and being a beast going to the net," Perry said.

Perry put the Ducks ahead late in the first period after intercepting a pass between Seguin and Benn before rocketing a slap shot past Lehtonen from close range.

Perry hadn't scored a playoff goal in 10 games since April 2011, getting blanked during the Ducks' seven-game loss to Detroit in the first round last spring. But the Canadian Olympic gold medalist knows how to fill a net: He was the NHL's second-leading goal-scorer this season, trailing only Alex Ovechkin.

The Ducks went up 3-1 when Cogliano, their dominant forechecker and penalty-killer, got away with breaking Sergei Gonchar's stick in the Dallas end. Getzlaf controlled the puck and fed Cogliano for the score.

"We had a chance to win the game and the ref missed a penalty (committed) against me," Gonchar said. "It should have been a 5-on-3, but instead it's a goal for them. ... Nobody is happy about it, but I think we're playing better."

Garbutt kept the Stars close with a goal in front, and Dallas tilted the ice decidedly in its favor in the final minutes. But Anaheim killed a penalty on Getzlaf with 3 minutes to play before Nick Bonino blocked the Stars' final shot.

Minnesota Wild left wing Dany Heatley (15) reacts to his goal with defenseman Marco Scandella (6) against the Colorado Avalanche in the second period in game seven. (Photo: Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports)

New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist makes a save against Philadelphia Flyers right wing Wayne Simmonds. The Flyers beat the Rangers 5-2 to send the series to a game seven. (Photo: Eric Hartline Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports)

Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) celebrates with goalie Jonathan Quick (32) after the game in game six of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center. (Photo: Kelvin Kuo, USA TODAY Sports)

Los Angeles Kings center Mike Richards (10) and San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture (39) fight during the third period in game six of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center. (Photo: Kelvin Kuo, USA TODAY Sports)

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Robyn Regehr (44) knocks the puck away from San Jose Sharks left wing Matthew Nieto (83) during the third period in game six of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center. (Photo: Kelvin Kuo, USA TODAY Sports)

Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise (11) celebrates his goal with defenseman Ryan Suter (20) during the first period against the Colorado Avalanche in game six of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xcel Energy Center. (Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn, USA TODAY Sports)

Colorado Avalanche forward Matt Duchene (9) and forward Ryan O'Reilly (90) celebrate a goal scored by defenseman Nick Holden (2) during the second period against the Minnesota Wild in game six of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xcel Energy Center. (Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports)

Blackhawks left wing Patrick Sharp, center, celebrates his goal with Ben Smith, left, and Patrick Kane during the third period in Game 6 at the United Center. Chicago won 5-1 to take the series. (Photo: Dennis Wierzbicki, USA TODAY Sports)

Blues goalie Ryan Miller makes a save in front of Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews during the third period of Game 6 at the United Center. Chicago won 5-1 to take the series. (Photo: Dennis Wierzbicki, USA TODAY Sports)

New York Rangers center Dominic Moore celebrates his goal in the second period of Game 5 against the Philadelphia Flyers. He had a goal and an assist in the Rangers' 4-2 victory. (Photo: John Geliebter, USA TODAY Sports)

New York Rangers right wing Mats Zuccarello (36) checks Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Hal Gill, 39, who was making his first appearance in the 2014 postseason. Gill played a little more than 12 minutes and a minus 2. (Photo: John Geliebter, USA TODAY Sports)

Philadelphia Flyers center Claude Giroux celebrates his first goal of the playoffs during the third period. It pulled the Flyers to within 3-2, but the Rangers got an empty-netter and a 3-2 series lead. (Photo: John Geliebter, USA TODAY Sports)

Members of the Colorado Avalanche celebrate after forward Nathan MacKinnon (29) scored the game winning goal during the overtime period in game five of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Minnesota Wild at Pepsi Center. The Avalanche won 4-3 in overtime. (Photo: Chris Humphreys, USA TODAY Sports)

Colorado Avalanche center Paul Stastny (26) celebrates after forward Nathan MacKinnon (not pictured) scored the game winning goal during the overtime period in game five of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Minnesota Wild at Pepsi Center. The Avalanche won 4-3 in overtime. (Photo: Chris Humphreys, USA TODAY Sports)

Members of the Minnesota Wild celebrate after a goal by left wing Matt Moulson (26) during the second period in game five of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Colorado Avalanche at Pepsi Center. (Photo: Chris Humphreys, USA TODAY Sports)

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jake Muzzin (6) hits San Jose Sharks right wing Brent Burns (88) during the first period in game five of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center at San Jose. (Photo: Cary Edmondson, USA TODAY Sports)

Los Angeles Kings center Jarret Stoll (28) attempts to gain control of the puck between San Jose Sharks defenseman Scott Hannan (27) and goalie Alex Stalock (32) during the second period in game five of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center at San Jose. (Photo: Cary Edmondson, USA TODAY Sports)

Los Angeles Kings center Tyler Toffoli (73) reacts after scoring a goal against the San Jose Sharks during the first period in game five of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center at San Jose. (Photo: Cary Edmondson, USA TODAY Sports)

Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) and left wing Chris Kunitz (right) react to a goal by Kunitz against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the second period in game five of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. (Photo: Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports)

Columbus Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner (38) and center Ryan Johansen (19) celebrate a goal by Jenner against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period in game five of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. (Photo: Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sport)

Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Chris Kunitz (14) is congratulated by defenseman Paul Martin (7) and center Evgeni Malkin (right) after Kunitz scored a goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the second period in game five of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. (Photo: Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sport)

St. Louis Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) looks to pass as Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Sheldon Brookbank (17) pressures during the third period in game five of the first round. (Photo: Scott Rovak, USA TODAY Sports)

Chicago Blackhawks right wing Ben Smith (28) and St. Louis Blues defenseman Jordan Leopold (33) battle for the puck during the third period in game five of the first round. (Photo: Scott Rovak, USA TODAY Sports)

Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) shoots and scores the game winning goal against St. Louis Blues goalie Ryan Miller (39) during overtime in game five of the first round. (Photo: Scott Rovak, USA TODAY Sports)

Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (second from right) celebrates with teammates Johnny Oduya (27) , Jonathan Toews (19) and Patrick Sharp (10) after scoring a goal against the St. Louis Blues during the second period in game four. (Photo: Jerry Lai, USA TODAY Sports)

Anaheim Ducks right wing Kyle Palmieri (21) tries to redirect the puck past Dallas Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen (32) during the second period in game four of the first round. (Photo: Jerome Miron, USA TODAY Sports)

Montreal Canadiens left wing Max Pacioretty (67) scores the game-winning goal in the third period of game four against Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Anders Lindback. (Photo: Jean-Yves Ahern, USA TODAY Sports)

Montreal Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher (11) misses a chance to score a goal in the second period of game four against Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Anders Lindback. (Photo: Jean-Yves Ahern, USA TODAY Sports)

Chicago Blackhawks center Andrew Shaw (65) and St. Louis Blues center Patrik Berglund (21) try to gain control of the puck during the second period in game three. (Photo: David Banks, USA TODAY Sports)

Chicago Blackhawks right wing Ben Smith (28) is knocked to the ice by St. Louis Blues defenseman Jordan Leopold (33) as goalie Ryan Miller (39) is nearby during the second period. (Photo: David Banks, USA TODAY Sports)

Columbus Blue Jackets center Brandon Dubinsky (17) and Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) chase after a loose puck during the first period in game three of the first round. (Photo: Russell LaBounty, USA TODAY Sports)

Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Cam Atkinson (13) grabs a rebound from a Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) save during the first period in game three of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Photo: Russell LaBounty, USA TODAY Sports)

Montreal Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty (67) battles for the puck with Tampa Bay Lightning forward Tom Pyatt (11) during the third period in game three of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Photo: Eric Bolte, USA TODAY Sports)

Boston Bruins right wing Loui Eriksson (21) sends Detroit Red Wings center Darren Helm (43) into the boards during the first period in game two of the first round. (Photo: Greg M. Cooper, USA TODAY Sports)